The Yamaha Motif line of keyboards are all good and well made, the rack version is right with them. The disappointing thing to me with this rack is that editing sounds and adding effects are so difficult like they are with all rack modules. You have to do it with a little barely back lit screen. But using the XS rack is easy otherwise and it works great with Cubase, Reason, and I have even synced it with Logic. Once you get the drivers squared away, which could take some patience depending on which machine you are running, you will have to download new drivers from the website.

UTILIZATION

The manual came in PDF format and it was easy to read and understand. You can rack this unit up and it will only take one rack space. You can save all of your favorite settings or self made presets to your own user banks.

SOUNDS

All of the synth sounds and basses, horns, and fx’s are really good. I think they are way better than Korg or Roland synths. But the drum kits need a lot of work, they drums weren’t realistic enough for me. It comes with 65 drum kits but for some reason I just didn’t like them and that’s where I think Roland wins between the two.

OVERALL OPINION

Finding the presets and sounds you want on the Motif XS rack is pretty easy its just editing those sounds and adding effects can get a little difficult. I had to refer back to the manual several times to figure some things out I was actually glad that the manual was in PDF format so I didn’t have to flip through a book every time I hit a bump in the road. If you want some really good synths this is the rack to purchase. It is very affordable and it beats actually paying for the actual keyboard. Just use your MIDI keyboard with the XS rack and you will be good to go!